Debt (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Debt and interest expense
Principal Amount	$ 246,870		$ 246,870
Interest Expense Before Student Loan Credit Facility	2,688	5,434	7,235	12,545
Student Loan Credit Facility, value		0		0
Interest Expense	2,688	5,434	7,235	12,545
Term loan [Member]
Debt and interest expense
Principal Amount	0		0
Maturity Date			2012
Interest Expense Before Student Loan Credit Facility	0	1,313	998	3,671
Interest Expense			363,300
$75 Million revolver (non-use fee) [Member]
Debt and interest expense
Principal Amount	0		0
Maturity Date			2011
Interest Expense Before Student Loan Credit Facility	0	2	0	50
Grapevine Note [Member]
Debt and interest expense
Principal Amount	72,350		72,350
Maturity Date			2021
Interest Rate			6.70%
Interest Expense Before Student Loan Credit Facility	1,210	1,215	2,421	2,412
UICI Capital Trust I [Member]
Debt and interest expense
Principal Amount	15,470		15,470
Maturity Date			2034
Interest Rate			4.00%
Interest Expense Before Student Loan Credit Facility	155	148	311	295
HealthMarkets Capital Trust I [Member]
Debt and interest expense
Principal Amount	51,550		51,550
Maturity Date			2036
Interest Rate			3.50%
Interest Expense Before Student Loan Credit Facility	459	436	926	868
HealthMarkets Capital Trust II [Member]
Debt and interest expense
Principal Amount	51,550		51,550
Maturity Date			2036
Interest Rate			3.50%
Interest Expense Before Student Loan Credit Facility	459	982	926	2,060
Interest on Deferred Tax Gain [Member]
Debt and interest expense
Principal Amount	0		0
Interest Rate			3.00%
Interest Expense Before Student Loan Credit Facility	398	528	791	1,053
Amortization of financing fees [Member]
Debt and interest expense
Principal Amount	0		0
Interest Expense Before Student Loan Credit Facility	3	810	856	2,136
Other Interest Expense [Member]
Debt and interest expense
Principal Amount	0		0
Interest Expense Before Student Loan Credit Facility	4	0	6	0
Principal Amount before student loan credit facility [Member]
Debt and interest expense
Principal Amount	190,920		190,920
Student Loan Credit Facility [Member]
Debt and interest expense
Principal Amount	55,950		55,950
Interest Rate			0.00%
Student Loan Credit Facility, value	$ 0		$ 0

HealthMarkets, Inc. 10-Q